Bengals' Mike Zimmer has defense all-in on film study

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (93) hugs defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer during a game this season against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium, which Cincinnati won 41-20. The Bengals overcame numerous injuries to top defensive players to win the AFC North, and will host the San Diego Chargers in a playoff game on Sunday.(Photo: Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights

Marvin Lewis used to sometimes have the entire defense study film, and Mike Zimmer expanded it

Players like the sessions as it helps them see their assignments, and those of their teammates

Bengals overcame a series of injuries to top defensive players to win the AFC North

CINCINNATI -- It takes a little bit more time, but Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer likes reviewing practice video this way: every player, every position, all in one room, answering his questions not only about their own assignments but everyone else's, too.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, a former d-coordinator himself, sometimes had done it that way before Zimmer arrived in 2008. Zimmer, a longtime Dallas Cowboys assistant then on his third job in three years, believed he had no choice with a roster that wasn't exactly full of stars.

"I knew the way that we could play good and win was by playing good collectively," Zimmer told USA TODAY Sports recently, sitting in his office at Paul Brown Stadium. "We had no Pro Bowlers. We had nothing like that. We've always really stressed the team concept of things.

"The other thing was, I figured if they weren't good here on defense and I was going to get fired, I was going to do it my way."

Six years later, the Bengals' defense has gone from one of the NFL's worst units to one of its best. They finished the regular season ranked third in the league in yards allowed (305.5) and tied for fifth in points allowed (19.1) – their third straight year in the top 10 in both categories.

Zimmer credits those group film sessions, rather than breaking into position groups, as a factor in helping the Bengals stay on course through a series of injuries that didn't disrupt their path to an AFC North title and Sunday's wild-card playoff home game against the San Diego Chargers.

"It's just a focus that we have and we've been competing (together) so long that it made us, as a defense, that much better," Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga said. "When someone goes down, the second person can step up and not lose a step."

The Bengals lost their best cover linebacker (Emmanuel Lamur), a veteran end and leader (Robert Geathers) and a key nickel contributor (Taylor Mays) before the season's midpoint. The biggest hits came in Weeks 7 and 9, respectively, when top cornerback Leon Hall suffered a torn Achilles and Geno Atkins – one of the NFL's best defensive tackles – blew out a knee.

"In both those two games, we didn't play as well, especially after they got hurt," Zimmer said. "It's like, 'Oh, man, what are we going to do?' That initial shock is really a hard thing to (overcome). Luckily, we've got good guys. They're smart guys."

They're talented guys, too, from standout ends Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap to Vontaze Burfict, who has emerged as one of the NFL's most productive outside linebackers.

Second-year pro Brandon Thompson is no Geno Atkins, but the Bengals have gotten by. They're also patching things together on the back end, getting surprisingly serviceable play from the post-prime likes of Terence Newman and Adam Jones. Another 30-something, James Harrison, has held up in the transition from 3-4 pass rusher to 4-3 outside linebacker.

"If you just get a group of guys to buy into his system and execute it, you can be a hell of a defense, man," nose tackle Domata Peko said. "One thing I love about our defense is that Coach Zim holds us accountable. If you're messing up, he's not going to have your ass in there."

To Zimmer, who appears in line for his first head coaching job at age 57, it's all about figuring out what those players can do and trying not to make them do something else.

That lesson goes back to Dallas, where he was on the staff from 1994 to 2006 and coordinated the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense in 2003. Coach Bill Parcells' re-retirement sent him to Atlanta, where he was on staff during the Bobby Petrino disaster, and to Cincinnati a year later to take over a defense that ranked 27th or worse in four of Lewis' first five seasons.

"When I was first coordinating in Dallas, I'd come in on Monday and say, 'This dumb guy did this, and this dumb guy did this,'" Zimmer said. "And then I figured out they weren't the dumb guy – I was the dumb guy, because I was trying to be so smart that the players couldn't do what I was asking them to do."

That's one more reason he wants the linebackers to know how the defensive linemen are playing their blocks, or where the cornerbacks are placing their leverage. If everyone understands the total concept, it's easier to focus on the specific role Zimmer has carved out for each individual.

"We're just playing football," Maualuga said.

PHOTOS: Every team's MVP

Tom Brady, left, and Peyton Manning have combined for six NFL MVP awards, and one of them will likely add to that number once the league's 2013 hardware is doled out. For now, both are among the 33 team MVPs (yes, we had a tie) selected by USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis. Stew Milne, USA TODAY Sports

QB Peyton Manning, Broncos: If his 2013 season wasn't the best ever by a quarterback (record 55 TD passes, 5,477 yards), it was surely in the top five and will almost certainly net him a record fifth NFL MVP trophy. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

LB Nick Roach, Raiders: The free agent acquisition was a mainstay for a team in need of them. Roach led Oakland with 112 tackles and four forced fumbles while providing a steady presence for a young team. Ed Zurga, AP

QB Philip Rivers, Chargers: After committing 47 turnovers the previous two seasons, Rivers looked like a new man (or his old superstar self) in 2013. He tailored his game to new coach Mike McCoy's system and reverted to Pro Bowl form while San Diego re-emerged as a playoff squad. Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports

LB Kiko Alonso, Bills: The rookie finished third in the NFL with 159 tackles, paced Buffalo with four INTs and 11 TFLs and become a social media legend among the locals. Melina Vastola, USA TODAY Sports

QB Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins: The second-year passer nearly led Miami back to the playoffs despite a patchwork O-line, non-existent running game and full-blown locker room scandal. At least the Fins seem to finally have stability under center for the first time since Dan Marino called the shots. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports

QB Tom Brady, Patriots: He seemed to struggle at times working with a revamped receiving corps but ultimately -- no surprise -- led New England to 12 wins and another AFC East title. Thomas Campbell, USA TODAY Sports

WR A.J. Green, Bengals: He remains the most breathtaking player on a roster loaded with talent. Green's 98 grabs, 1,426 yards and 11 TDs all represented personal bests and speak to his ability to get open despite constant double teams. Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports

WR Josh Gordon, Browns: In retrospect, it's both understandable yet mind-boggling he was the subject of so many trade rumors. Gordon led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards despite being suspended the first two games. Imagine what he might do with a full season and consistent QB play. Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports

WR Antonio Brown, Steelers: He set a team record with 1,499 receiving yards, and his 110 receptions were two shy of Hines Ward's franchise mark. Brown made the Pro Bowl as both a wideout and returner. Jason Bridge, USA TODAY Sports

OLB Robert Mathis, Colts: His 19.5 sacks led the NFL and set a new franchise record. Mathis also became the team's all-time sack leader (111), surpassing Dwight Freeney. Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

RB LeSean McCoy (25) and QB Nick Foles, Eagles: Too close to call. McCoy was the NFL's No. 1 rusher (1,607 yards) while Foles fueled the team's NFC East title surge after taking the reins permanently in November and leading the NFL in passer rating (119.2). Phil Sears, USA TODAY Sports

WR Pierre Garcon, Redskins: He was one of the few 'Skins with anything to celebrate after breaking Art Monk's single-season record for catches. Garcon finished with 113 grabs for 1,346 yards. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

RB Matt Forte, Bears: He was one of the few constants Chicago could rely on week in and week out ... and a career-high 1,933 yards from scrimmage and 74 receptions also helped quite a bit. Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports

RB Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Amazing to think his 1,266 rushing yards (in 14 games) represents nearly an 800-yard dip. He remains the most feared back in the NFL even at less than 100%. Trevor Ruszkowski, USA TODAY Sports

LB Paul Worrilow, Falcons: Who? The undrafted rookie only started three quarters of the season, yet led Atlanta with 127 tackles. The Falcons didn't have much to smile about in 2013, but they did find a defensive rock they can count on for years to come. Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

QB Cam Newton, Panthers: Many of his stats dipped, but he did a better job involving his offensive teammates and also displayed great strides in the maturity department. The results were evident in the win column for Carolina. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports

QB Drew Brees, Saints: He was a 5,000-yard passer for a record fourth time and tossed in 39 TDs to boot. Brees is never taken for granted in New Orleans even if he is elsewhere. Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

CB Richard Sherman, Seahawks: It would also be easy to make a case for QB Russell Wilson, but the tone-setting Sherman was the best player on the league's premier defense and topped the NFL with eight INTs. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports